• Gardening
    Pruning of the azaleas plant

    Azaleas are beautiful flowers that bloom in spring and last for several weeks. They are usually grown under trees as that is a preferred location for them. Azalea comes in many colors and sizes and have shallow roots.

    It is absolutely essential to prunes these plants whenever required. Pruning comes under maintaining your plants and trees. Pruning is removing the deadwood, shaping (controlling or conditioning growth) and maintaining the health of the plant or tree. Pruning in simple terms is the removal of unwanted, dead, damaged and tissue of that can hamper the healthy growth of your plants and trees.

    There are essentially four types of pruning: Thinning, Topping, Raising and Reduction.

    Thinning is a drastic form of pruning and hence is requires to be done correctly. This is also a common form of pruning used for plants, flower plants and trees.
    Topping is more severe. It involves removing of all branches of a tree to train the younger trees to promote their growth.
    Raising is removing of lower branches of a tree so clears up the space for people and their needs. This is not practiced on plants.
    Reduction, as the name suggests, reduces the size of a tree. This is done when it is important to maintain the height of a tree.

    Despite many ways of pruning, azaleas must be pruned in the most traditional and natural manner as they are not meant for formal style of pruning. You may prune azaleas soon after they have bloomed in spring or in early summer. It is perfect to prune them when they are discoloring.

    While trimming your azaleas plant, use pruning shears for cutting the branches individually and at the proper spot. Azaleas look best when minimally pruned as it helps them gain their natural form. You can remove long stray stems from the bottom as it helps the plant get sunlight and air wherever required and in adequate amount.

    To add to the pruning, you can help the growth of the plant by pinching the terminal buds as it will increase branching and will continue for longer time. Avoid pinching if the growing season is still on and the plants is still setting buds for the next season.

    Do remember that azaleas are toxic if consumed. Keep your children and pets away from this plant.

  • Gardening
    Tips to grow and maintain a container garden of perennial plants

    Perennial plants are a great alternative that cuts down the trouble of spending money on new plants once the old annual plants have died. Container gardening with perennial plants is becoming popular among gardeners.

    In this article we help you know more about perennial plants and how to grow them with ease.

    We are going to introduce container plants in your garden, this is for people who do not have much space and yet love gardening. Its also perfect for those who live in apartments.

    Things you need:

    Container
    Choosing a container is not perilous. Anything that holds the soil can become a container for your plant. Containers can be made of wood, metal, clay even plastic. Since each type of container has its advantages and disadvantages, you must check which container is perfect for which type of plant you plan to grow in it.

    Do remember that perennial plants have bigger roots and hence containers in bigger size is always a better option.

    Drainage is just as important as the container for the plants to not drown. Every container must have at least one drainage hole. If the container does not have a drainage hole, make one yourself by drilling a hole or seek professional help if you are not able to successfully make a hole at the bottom. The drainage hole must have a screen so the soil does not fall out of the container.

    Soil
    Choose the right potting soil for the plant and that sits well in the container. If you are planning on planting the plants that grow well in sand, you need to get the potting mix that supports that plant. You must get into the detailing of the soil you will be using for each plant for it to grow best. Check the pH level required.

    Plants
    Proper pairing of the plants is essential just like everything else. Some plants do not grow well with certain plants and some pairs are great for each other. You can understand this by learning about each plant in detail.

    Watering
    Learn about the watering that is required for each plant. Ideally, caring for perennial plants is not too much work but is important. Some nutrients that are present in the potting soil get washed out with regular watering, hence its important to add nutrient supplements by adding liquid fertilizer.

    When plants are maintained and groomed timely, they reward you with the best of fruits, flowers and leaves.

  • Gardening
    A brief on perennial plants

    Of the three classifications, perennials are what people prefer to be in majority in their gardens. Annual and biennial plants are in demand as well, but what works for perennial plants is the very fact that they are long lasting. They live for more than two seasons.

    There are two kinds of perennial plants “ woody plants and herbaceous perennials. Woody plants are trees, shrubs and vines. Herbaceous plants are non woody and die every fall, however the roots live and they re-grow in the spring.

    Perennial plants and annual plants
    You may love both the types equally. In terms of variety, annual plants are chosen more often. However, perennial plants do not require as much attention as annual plants would. When annual plants are grown, the chores are according to their requirements and different plants will have different glooming period and one has to seed them and care for them as per their life cycle. Once annual plants die, you have to remove them from the roots and you get new ones next year and the plant them.
    Roots of perennial remain in the soil for years once they are seeded. Their requirement of watering and fertilizing is not as much as annual plants and you will not have to take the roots out once their glooming season is over. You simply need to wait for the next season for them to gloom again.

    Maintenance of perennial plants
    Although perennial plants are low maintenance, they do require timely maintenance. Care is necessary for any plant or tree you grow in your garden or inside your house. The need of pruning, fertilizing, weeding, and mulching is important even for perennial plants but not as much as an annual plant would need. But you must observe them closely to know when to give them the care they require.

    Perennial plants and mortality
    It is a myth that perennial plants live forever. They don’t. They live for many years but not forever. In fact there are some short lived perennial plants as well, such as, columbine, hollyhock and lupines. Perennial plants are also self sow, which means, they drop their seeds from which new plants grow.
    All plants need water, air, light and mineral nutrients to survive. Perennial plants are no different. They are easy to maintain as compared to annual plants, but maintenance is imperative nonetheless.
    As a gardener, you have to provide all kinds of plants the care they need. It is also important to learn about them. The more you know about the plants they grow in your garden, the more care you will be able to provide them and the more healthy your plants will grow.

  • Gardening
    Pet friendly indoor plants

    Indoor plants don’t just make your house look beautiful but also make the environment peaceful. There are many reasons for that. Plants are known to spread positivity in the space they are in. That is the beauty of nature, to immediately create a happy and peaceful environment.

    Plants help you relax. Some plants and their flowers stimulate the release of adrenaline in you as you see them and that increases your energy levels and help you relax. They are also natural humidifier, and have healing powers. They absorb 90% of the toxins in a room and hence minimize allergies. Studies have also revealed that plants help with concentration and decrease stress.

    Now there are plenty of reasons to have plants in your home. However, if you have pets and more often than not you leave them at home by themselves, you are probably worried about the toxic leaves and fruits some plants have. Below are some plants you can have in your house to without worrying about their toxic effects on pets. Some of these plants are not only pet-friendly, but also detoxify the air in your home.

    Areca Palm
    Removes toluene and xylene from the air and purifies air over all. Asthma patients can have it in their homes as it can be a great help for them.

    Money Plant
    Great for polluted cities exposed to smog. Good for people who have lung conditions.

    Spider Plant
    There are many health benefits associated with spider plant. They clear out the carbon monoxide from the air by absorbing it. Also pet friendly.

    Bamboo Palm
    Also helps remove xylene and toluene from air and acts as a natural humidifier. Great for people living in cities with pollution.

    Phalaenopsis Orchid
    One of the most common orchids are know to be animal friendly. However, be careful if you pet loves to chew the potting mix as it usually contains a large amount of bark.

    Friendship Plant
    Scientifically called Pilea Involucrata. They have very unique and attractive leaves even to animals. If your pets are drawn to this plant, you do not have to worry about them getting harmed.

    Catathea
    These are easy to grow plants and require minimum maintenance. They are medium sized with colorful foliage. Interestingly, leaves close at night like hands folded in prayer. Hence, they are also called Prayer Plant. And animal friendly.

    Plants that you can avoid if you have pets at home are:
    Anthurium; Calla Lily; Chinese Evergreen; English Ivy; Philodendron; Schefflera; Dieffenbachia; Oleander; Spathiphyllum. You can look up more plants that you can avoid for pets.

  • Gardening
    Low maintenance indoor plants

    Love plants but don’t have much time to spend on them? We have just the plants you can keep in your house without worrying too much about their maintenance. Plants that only require minimum attention from you are the best when you can’t give them much time.

    Here are some plants that are easy to maintain:

    Aloe (Aloe vera)

    Aloe is one of the most famous and widely known plant around the world. It is best known for its medicinal qualities. But apart from the medicinal properties, aloe looks great inside the house in a smaller pot too. When it comes to care, aloevera plant is not very demanding. You do not need to water it often in winter, Aloe likes the sun, so you can keep them out on the window but harsh light also turns them brown, so it is best to keep them in a place where they get indirect light.

    Anthurium

    Also known as flamingo flower. Leaves are big and heart-shaped and flowers are bright red. The contrast makes the house look pretty, where ever you keep the plant. Anthurium grows up to 2 “ 3 feet high and 2 feet wide. This plant does not require direct sun-light. Grows well inside the house without much hassle of repotting and other maintenance. Once you have the right soil and right location for your plant, adequate watering will be enough and it will show gratitude with long lasting flowers.

    Asparagus Fern

    Growing and maintaining asparagus fern is easy. The frilly leaves makes a plant appear frizzy which gives you a good enough reason to have in your home. Watering is simple, location is not much of an issue either as they grow well in indirect sunlight as well. However, when you do occasionally repot the plant or prune out dead stems, do wear gloves as it has thorny spurs.

    Peace Lily

    Glossy leaves and white spoon shaped flowers are extremely attractive. Peace lily does fine is low humidity and low light. It is known for being one of the easiest plants to keep at home. Show them direct sunlight once in a while and that will be enough for them to bloom. Also regular watering is important but its simple.

    So go ahead and pick one or many hassle free plants for your home. Do keep your children and pets away as leaves, flowers and buds of some plants are toxic if consumed.

  • Gardening
    Repot your orchids with care

    Orchids, like many other flower plants need care for them to bloom longer and stay healthier. The care is essential, however not difficult or challenging. It is just like any other plant in your house and needs to be attended to once every day, and some times more than once everyday. The care is require to maintain its good health and bloom.

    There comes a time when you have to repot the plant. It is also essential to know when your orchid plant need to be repotted. You must not re-pot the plant unless it’s required. Knowing when to repot is imperative and will do you great help.

    Your orchid plant would need repotting if it is growing out of it’s container. That is when you see white roots popping from spaces between the container. Repotting would also be required when you see those potting medium is breaking down. Potting medium helps the plants to grow by providing them support to their roots. When these potting medium are breaking down, its time for a change.

    When you come down to repotting the plant, start with choosing the pot that is slightly bigger in size that the previous one. Drainage holes are necessary in the pots you are using for repotting. Your pot material should support the type of orchid plant you have, for that you need to know well what plant you have and what type of pot your plant will grow best in.

    You will then need to figure out the potting medium you will be using. For most orchids, potting material is essential as they don’t grow in regular soil so avoid repotting your plant in regular potting soil. You also need to ready your potting soil by soaking it in water overnight. This is important for the soil to retain moisture.

    After soaking, make sure to get all the water away from the soil. Do this by straining the soil using a strainer or a cheesecloth.Water should be drained out completely. Now you remove the orchids from its old pot, make sure to be very careful and don’t harm any roots. Get the old potting soil off the roots gently. Remove dead roots if you find them. Untangle the ones that are tangled.

    Ready the new pot. Make sure it is clean and sterilized if its been used for orchids before. Place the plant in the new pot. Old roots going in the bottom, and the ones having enough space to grow further.

    Carefully add potting mix into the pot without damaging the roots. Make sure to not leave any air pockets as roots need soils all around them to grow. Keep adding the mix till its leveled to the top of the pot. Your plant must stand upright after you are done adding the mix. You repotting is now done.

  • Gardening
    The care your orchids need

    Orchids are one of the most popular indoor potted plants. While they are found in almost every household that loves flowers, not many know how to care for orchids or the right way to grow orchids.

    We will start from finding the right orchid and growing it to taking care of your orchid plant and maintaining it well.

    There are around 20,000 30,000 orchid species on earth. You have plenty to choose from even if you don’t have all of them accessible. Buying an orchid is in fact easy but if you want your plant to bloom well and live long, its essential to pick the right plant for yourself and take necessary care for them. Pick the plant that is not in bloom as it will make your plant get adapted to the growing conditions of your house. There wont be an instant addition to the decor but you will have a better chance of growing a healthy plant. Pick the plant that has healthy roots, check the leaves as quality of leaves can tell a lot about the plant. Also, take the full name of the orchid plant you are buying as it will help you get more information of the same species that you have bought.

    Remember that orchids need to survive but there also need to be enough time between the two watering as they also need to dry out in between. In summer, keep watering them after they dry out, in winter, you will not have to water them too often.

    Along with water, orchids also need humidity. There are many ways to increase humudity in your home but the best way is to use a humidifier. Direct heat and chills are bad for your orchids so make sure to place them where they are mild, warm and humid.

    Regular fertilizer is important for your orchids. Fertilize them weekly or while they are about to bloom.

    You will probably need to re-pot your orchids if they suddenly stop blooming in spite of having adequate light and temperature. Otherwise you must re-pot your orchids every year.

    Keep checking for signs of pests or diseases. Bugs like mealybugs, scale, and aphids usually attack orchids. You can remove them by washing your plant or use insecticidal soap.

    Learn about your orchids, fertilizers that are right for them, right kinds of lights for them and how to re-pot them to keep have a healthy and blooming orchid plant.